Health insurance rate holds steady for county employees

Nov. 18--Marion County's employees' health insurance costs will not be going up in 2018. County commissioners learned that fact earlier this week during a meeting with coverage providers.

"No rate increase. That's good news," said Presiding Commissioner Lyndon Bode. "We were pleasantly surprised there."

Rates for the dental plan will also be holding steady next year. The only rate change will be seen for vision coverage, which is going up 30 cents a month per employee.

"We're very fortunate that in the coming year of 2018 our health, dental and vision plans are looking good," said Bode. "I think a lot of that goes back to what we did years ago when we changed to a partially self-insured program. It looks like it's paying off for us. The program is working.

"Insurance is one of those things that some years you hate to even look at what the rates could be, but this year we were fortunate."

While the county's overall health-care rates are showing only a slight increase, the same cannot be said for its workman's compensation coverage. In 2017 the county is paying $143,000. That rate is going up roughly $8,000 in 2018 to $151,000.

"There is an increase there but we can live with it," said Bode.

Reach reporter Danny Henley at danny.henley@courierpost.com

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